Maddy summaryLB 488 requires peace officers to take custody of probationers (for misdemeanor or felony offenses) or juveniles when a probation officer requests it due to a violation of probation conditions that poses a danger to people or property or involves an attempt to flee the jurisdiction. The bill mandates that probation officers must document violations and request custody through written reports to county attorneys, who then decide whether to pursue probation revocation. It applies specifically to cases where probation officers have reasonable cause to believe a violation creates immediate risk, not routine probation breaches. This change standardizes procedures for both misdemeanor and felony probation cases across Nebraska statutes.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 575 amends property tax rules to require counties and local governments (like cities, school districts, and community colleges) seeking to raise taxes beyond growth limits to hold joint public hearings instead of individual meetings. The bill mandates that these hearings - held between September 14-24 - include standardized presentations detailing tax increase amounts, comparisons to prior years, and budget impacts, with notices sent via postcard, website, and newspaper. Local governments must share specific data (like assessed value changes and proposed tax rates) with taxpayers seven days before hearings, and costs for notices are shared proportionally among participating entities. This applies to all local governments exceeding tax growth limits, directly affecting how communities seek tax increases.
Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 424 limits how much property taxes can increase annually for homeowners. It caps yearly tax bill increases at the lesser of the inflation rate (based on the U.S. Consumer Price Index) or 3%, preventing rapid spikes. This directly affects property owners whose annual tax bills would otherwise rise faster than this limit, unless the increase results from home improvements. The bill applies to all real property tax bills issued in Nebraska.
Maddy summaryLB 25 allocates $5 million from Nebraska's General Fund to the Department of Administrative Services for a grant program supporting volunteer fire and emergency departments. The funds will cover mobile radios, programming, and installation to create interoperable communication systems, requiring local governments to match each dollar of state funding. Each applicant can receive up to $3.5 million in grants. This bill directly affects volunteer departments seeking to improve emergency communication capabilities.
Maddy summaryLB 254 directs Nebraska's legislature to transfer $25 million from the General Fund for fiscal year 2025-26 and an additional $25 million for 2026-27 to the Rural Workforce Housing Investment Fund. This funding is intended to provide grants for workforce housing projects under the Rural Workforce Housing Investment Act. The bill directly affects rural communities and workers by supporting affordable housing initiatives through state funding. It establishes a legislative intent to allocate these specific sums, though the actual disbursement would require subsequent implementation.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires employees filing workers' compensation claims to provide a written waiver allowing employers or insurers to access their prior medical records. It directly affects workers seeking compensation by establishing a process for sharing health information related to their injury claim. The key provision mandates that such waivers must be obtained before insurers can request medical records, with specific exceptions protecting sensitive information like records related to sexual abuse, HIV, reproductive health, or mental health treatment. The bill does not change compensation amounts or eligibility but clarifies access to medical history for claims processing.
Maddy summaryNebraska's Legislative Resolution 21 (LR 21) is a procedural application to Congress requesting a constitutional convention to propose a federal amendment limiting House and Senate members to a set number of terms. It directly seeks to initiate a process that would affect all future U.S. congressional elections by potentially restricting how many times a person can be re-elected to either chamber. The resolution specifies that Nebraska's application will be counted toward the 34-state threshold required under Article V of the Constitution, aggregating with similar applications from other states. This resolution does not create new law but is part of a state-level effort to advance term limits for federal lawmakers through the constitutional amendment process.
Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 13 requires the Department of Health and Human Services to file a state plan amendment to align with federal child care subsidy program rules. It updates income eligibility thresholds for child care assistance: families with incomes up to 185% of the federal poverty level before October 1, 2026, and 130% afterward. The bill also establishes transitional assistance for families who exceed income limits, allowing continued support until their income drops below 85% of state median income or they reach new income caps. This directly affects low-income families seeking child care subsidies and providers participating in the federal program, with cost-sharing based on a sliding scale.
Maddy summaryLB 340 would require individuals filing asbestos-related lawsuits in Nebraska to submit all available asbestos trust claims and supporting documents (including medical records and exposure history) within 30 days of filing their case. It mandates that defendants can request court orders to compel missing trust claims before trial, and makes all trust-related materials automatically admissible in court without privilege claims. The bill also establishes that defendants can offset damages by amounts already paid or owed by asbestos trusts, with setoffs distributed proportionally among liable parties. This directly affects asbestos plaintiffs, defendants in litigation, and asbestos trusts by standardizing claim transparency and financial accountability. The bill would apply to cases filed after its effective date.
Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to ban Nebraska from imposing an inheritance tax. If approved by voters in November 2026, it would add a new section to the state constitution prohibiting both the state government and local political subdivisions (like cities or counties) from levying such taxes. The amendment would take effect immediately upon voter approval, eliminating the legal authority for any Nebraska entity to collect inheritance taxes. It does not create new taxes or affect existing tax structures beyond this specific prohibition.